REVIEW: Absolute Superman #20

The unstoppable force that is King Shazam, formerly Teth-Adam, continues to withstand the combined might of Superman and Steel as Hawkman enters the fray in Absolute Superman #20, “Part Three: Up, Up and…” Writer Jason Aaron continues his absolutely amazing run on this title alongside artists Rafa Sandoval and Vicente Cifuentes, colorist Ulises Arreola and letterer Becca Carey. Together, the team delivers a three-on-one battle in all of its destructive glory.

Up until this point in this intriguing, action-packed series, Aaron has made readers feel that Superman would always find a way to come out on top. No matter how impossible the odds seemed or how bad things got, Superman was going to win. But against this Brainiac-engineered, Father Box-empowered former slave; Superman may need more than hope and faith to defeat the self-proclaimed king of Earth.

The battle of the ages awaits, but let’s talk about this month’s covers first. The standard cover by Sandoval and Arreola places Absolute Superman and King Shazam in the middle of a fierce, close-quarters clash, their expressions making it clear that neither man is willing to give an inch. As yellow energy crackles between them, the hammer-wielding Steel descends into the conflict from above, poised to bring devastating force into an already explosive confrontation. With the official synopsis promising Superman, King Shazam and Hawkman in the Absolute Universe’s greatest battle yet, the cover feels like a warning that this fight is about to become even bigger and more dangerous.

David Nakayama’s connecting variant cover presents Superman as regal, powerful and completely in command as he flies forward with glowing fists. At first glance, the black shapes behind him almost resemble bat-like wings, making the image feel as though it could be teasing an Absolute Batman crossover. That instinct was not far off: the cover is part of a three-piece connecting image with Absolute Batman #21 and Absolute Wonder Woman #21, with those dark shapes revealed to be sections of Absolute Batman’s massive cape. Together, the three covers create a bold Absolute Trinity showcase.

Juan Ferreyra’s variant cover offers a striking, almost transformative image of Superman. Blue strips of material coil around his body while fiery energy burns around his fists, making it appear as though his armor is shifting, adapting or being reassembled in real time. The visual naturally calls to mind the living, responsive nature of Sol, giving the cover the feeling that Superman’s suit may be entering a new phase—or at least revealing another side of what it can do. Ferreyra’s design makes Superman look less like a traditional costumed hero and more like a force of living technology and Kryptonian power.

There is also a variant cover available by John Giang.

Overall, Absolute Superman #20 has a great mix of action, power and mystery across its covers. Whether it is Superman facing King Shazam, joining the Absolute Trinity or showing off a possible new evolution of his suit, there is something here for every Superman fan and cover collector.

Sandoval, Cifuentes and Arreola do a terrific job with art and colors. In fact, their collaboration is so seamless that I was unaware Cifuentes had contributed to the issue until I saw the credits at the end. His five pages blend naturally into the story without ever distracting from the action or the visual flow. That kind of artistic synchronicity is not easy to pull off, especially during a battle this massive. This series is so visually cinematic that it often feels as though its storyboards have already been drawn. The action is clear, explosive, and easy to follow, while the character moments still land with emotional weight. Should this series ever make the leap to animation or film, its visual language would be an incredible blueprint to follow.

Aaron is such a pro at redeeming characters readers may initially believe cannot be redeemed, while also showing what makes the Absolute Universe versions of these DC icons so compelling. Every time I think I have these characters pinned down and figured out, Aaron throws a curveball, much like people do in real life. He reminds readers that people can change, even when they seem set in their ways. What Aaron does with Carter Hall, a.k.a. Hawkman, is a joy to read. Having Carter serve as this issue’s central narrator adds depth to both the story and its larger theme: an encounter with Superman can challenge everything someone thought they knew about themselves and the world. Hawkman’s perspective gives this installment a richness that goes beyond its massive action sequences.

(10/10) Absolute Superman #20 is another banger of an issue, and I cannot wait for the next chapter—especially after that final page. The action scenes are powerful, the off-panel action is described in vivid detail, and the story never loses momentum.